Charles Ro was blowing out Lionel 0-8-0's from sets in the Orange Hall...since these were conventional and looked like bargains, I, who needed one like 4 flat tires, thought that maybe I would use it as a yard switcher, or possibly convert
it to a 2-8-0, since this engine bore some resemblance to a Great Western Consolidation. There were several roadnames but only the Strasburg came with a box, so I reluctantly chose that one, although I knew it would have to be refinished/relettered. I need to be finishing up a structure rather than be armchairing on here, so haven't run it. Has anybody run theirs? How does it run? The front coupler, which I always want on ALL my engines, even though some derisively refer to them as "lobster claws", may present a drilling and tapping problem if I modify it into a 2-8-0. I do wish the front step ran all the way across... maybe moving/replacing the coupler for a pilot truck will make that possible.
Next question: This engine is painted/lettered as Strasburg #475. I usually
wander around the Strasburg HQ during York, and have for years, and I don't
REMEMBER seeing any 0-8-0's at or operating on the Strasburg...in fact, this time, I was disappointed that the Great Western decapod was not there when I was there. I didn't see the N&W 4-8-0 there this time, either, and will have to check my photos to see what they were using to power their tourist run, as I did not pay much attention to it, looking for the others. Has the Strasburg operated an O-8-0, and with that number #475.?